Councilman outlines plan to recruit, retain Columbia first responders

Citing a shortage of more than 100 police officers and firefighters, Fifth Ward Councilman Matt Pitzer on Tuesday outlined a plan he hopes will maintain current and recruit new first responders.

Pitzer wants to use $500,000 from the 2017 fiscal year incentive-based budget to offer current and new police officers and firefighters down payments on homes provided they make a commitment to stay with the agency for five or 10 years.

A five-year commitment, under Pitzer’s plan, would result in a $5,000 down payment, while those agreeing to stay 10 years would receive $10,000. Those who take the down payments but do not fulfill the commitments would have to pay the money back upon selling their homes. First responders purchasing a home in one of the city’s strategic plan neighborhood could receive another $5,000.

The homes would have to be be within the city limits and those wanting to take part would still have to be pre-qualified for a home loan.

“You make a commitment to us, and we will make a commitment to you,” Pitzer said, adding that with the lack of revenue in the city there is no better way to recruit and retain first responders.

“I consider this a perfect use,” he said. ”This plan will make Columbia a better place.”

He also said other cities in the state have provided rent assistance to first responders.

To recruit more officers and firefighters Pitzer wants to provide the new employees rent assistance of up to $500 monthly for their first six months on the job.

Pitzer said at the news conference at City Hall that the Public Safety Recruiting and Retention Initiative is necessary because it is becoming increasingly hard to either keep or recruit first responders.

The fact sheet that Pitzer provided stated the plan would ease moving into the city for people not living in Columbia while reducing stress and securing new housing.

He also said it could provide a competitive advantage for people who are considering other offers.

More than 90 first responders have left the force in the last five years, and another 17 are eligible to retire at the end of the year. Pitzer said this equates to about one-fourth of the department being new. Currently, the CPD has 173 sworn officers on its force.

Pitzer said he does not know how many would take the city up on the offer, but hopes the $500,000 would go quickly which would mean about 30 new homes for firefighters or police officers.

Pitzer plans to bring his plan up to other council members soon, but concedes this probably would have to wait until the new fiscal year begins in October.

“If there was a way to start is sooner I would be all for it,” he said.